Item 2 - Staff Report and Attachment 1
PREPARED BY: SEAN MULLIN, AICP
Associate Planner
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6874
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMITTEE REPORT
MEETING DATE: 01/22/2020 ITEM NO: 2
DATE: JANUARY 15, 2020 TO: HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE FROM: JOEL PAULSON, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR SUBJECT: PROJECT LOCATION: 477 UNIVERSITY AVENUE. PROPERTY OWNERS: ERIC AND LISA HOFFNER. APPLICANT: BESS WIERSEMA, STUDIO THREE DESIGN. REQUESTING APPROVAL FOR A REVISION TO THE APPROVED EXTERIOR MATERIALS ON A PRE-1941 SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE ON PROPERTY ZONED R-1:D. APN 529-07-029.
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider the applicant’s request for approval of revised exterior materials.
BACKGROUND:
A. Property Details
1. Date original primary structure was built: c. 1900
2. Town of Los Gatos Preliminary Historic Status Code: None
3. Does property have an LHP Overlay? No
4. Is structure in a historic district? No
5. If yes, is it a contributor? N/A
6. Findings required? No
7. Considerations required? Yes
B. Background
On December 11, 2019, the Historic Preservation Committee (HPC) reviewed a proposal for
exterior alterations, including a new covered front porch and roof addition (Attachment 1).
The proposal included new wood lap siding at the new front porch and roof addition to
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BACKGROUND (continued):
match the existing siding. The HPC recommended approval of the request with the option
of installing painted wood shingle siding in the gable-end of the new porch to match the
detached garage.
C. Comments
The applicant is requesting approval to substitute fire-rated Hardie-board cementitious
siding in place of the new wood horizontal lap siding and new wood shingle siding. The
applicant has indicated that the new Hardie-board lap siding would match the dimensions
of the existing wood lap siding. The applicant’s request is being forwarded for
consideration by the HPC because the proposed materials deviate from the
recommendations of the Residential Design Guidelines, specifically section 4.8.2 Building
Materials.
DISCUSSION:
The applicant is seeking a determination from the HPC that the alternative materials are
consistent with the Residential Design Guidelines and are compatible with the neighborhood.
Should the HPC find merit in the request, a building permit could be approved by the
Community Development Director and the project would not return to the HPC.
A. Considerations
Sec. 29.80.290. Standards for review.
In evaluating applications, the deciding body shall consider the architectural style, design,
arrangement, texture, materials and color, and any other pertinent factors.
Applications shall not be granted unless:
For pre-1941 structures, the proposed work will neither adversely affect the exterior
architectural characteristic or other features of the property which is the subject of the
application.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Previously approved Development Plans, dated November 27, 2019
DISTRIBUTION:
Cc: Bess Wiersema, Studio Three Design, 638 University Avenue, Los Gatos, CA 95032
Eric and Lisa Hoffner, P.O. Box 1203, Los Gatos, CA 95031
ATTACHMENT 1